Sarasota Website Design Ideas 

Hi there!  You have decided you would like to make a Website.  Congratulations, that’s great!  But how should you begin?

Most e-commerce sites or professional service sites want to expand their reach out into the marketplace.  They would like new customers to buy something off the Website or contact them about the goods or services they have to offer.  Therefore the right way to begin is to thoroughly  understand your customers and their needs first.  Don’t start spending your time and resources before you have a final target in mind.

( Top secret insider tip:  Your Website isn’t really for you, or your designer’s ego, or programmer’s elegant coding ability.  It’s for your customers to be able to find stuff they are looking for.  They are only going to give you about 10 seconds so you better make it clear and snappy.)

User-friendly, user-centered. 

Keeping these concepts in mind as you begin and repeating this golden mantra will help your Website be a success!   Of course if you want to reach your customers, your Website must be tailored to their needs.   You may ask yourself, sure but won’t this take a lot of time?  Can’t I just start designing away?  Nope.  Remember form follows function.  I know that statement is kind of silly, but it really is true.  

 Ok, first before we learn about profiling your customers needs, let’s have just a  little fun shall we?   We are both sitting at our desks, concentrating really hard.  So we deserve a little break.   Here’s a nice lesson from our friends,  the  Talking Heads.  While watching it I’d like you to concentrate on the lyrics…”and you may ask how did I get here?”

Did you get my secret message?  After the Website is finished, you don’t want to be faced with pesky thoughts like…. ”This isn’t my Website,  These aren’t my beautiful customers… My God, What have I done?  Or worse yet, My Website is the same as it ever was!   “How did I get here?”   Gasp!  Heaven forbid!

Never fear, grab my hand.   I am here as your friendly Website producer guiding you through the jungle of decisions.  Together we can make  a friendly, user-centered Website that is will be just right for your business.

Tip 1
Understand who your customers are then design your Website to match their needs.  Remember our mantra, “user-friendly, user-centered”.  In other words, build the Website with your customers in mind so their user experience is a positive one.  This way they will feel comfortable with you, your Website and your brands.

Understanding your Website audience will help you focus on the most effective:

• Interface design
• Writing style
• Message
• Information that’s valuable to them.
• Information architecture (How info is arranged.  Most important info should be visible and easily found.)
• Functionality that will allow them efficiently accomplish what they need to do.

Remember:

You want them to quickly and efficiently be able to find what they are looking for.  The end result is what we call a conversion.  This means your user has taken the next step by contacting you about your service or purchasing your products.  Finally your Website should be interesting enough they tell their friends, and come back for more!